Sorting and collating apparatus



H. w. CADMAN 2,046,935

5 Sheets-Sheet l July 7, 1936.

SORTING AND COLLATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1955 IIIIIIIIIIII 1111111111 IIIIIIIIIIII IT k w Nk .1 IIIIIIIIIIIE II IIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIII 1111111111" 11111111:

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July 7, 1936. H, w CADMAN 2,046,935

SORTING AND COLLATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1935 5 SheetsSheet 2 July 7, 1936. H. w. CADMAN SORTING AND QOLLATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jllily 7, 1936. H w CADMAN 2,046,935

- SORTING AND COLLATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 kl llllII IIIIIIIIFIIIHIIIIFI July 7, 1936. w CADMAN 2,046,935

SORTING AND COLLATING APPARATUS Filed July 2, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 lVVf/VTOR 49 53 01 6W 7 Ammfy Cir Patented July 7, 1936 UNITED Y STATES 2,046,935 SORTING AND COLLATING' APPARATUS V Hubert William oaaman, Elthain, London, Eng-: land, assignor' of one-half to Sovex Limited,

London, Britain England, a corporation of Great Application July 2, 1935, Serial No. 29,534

In Great Britain 9 Claims.

This invention concerns improvements in and relating. to sorting and collating. apparatus for letters, other postal matter or the like, hereinafter referred to as letters. Proposals have already been made to devise sorting apparatus which is cleared mechanically, but these proposals have proved to be. open to various serious objections. In particular, the apparatus required too much space, the space occupied by the collating and stacking part thereof being, moreover, out of all. proportion. to the useful sorting space.

In addition the; apparatus was excessively complicated and. required considerable power for its operation. Finally, if the sorting. apparatus became. out of ordenit was, difficult or impossible Sorting compartments are. commonly. .ar-j

ranged in extended rows. Such a row in this specification istermed a range. Each range. is. conveniently divided up into a series of similar groups, e. g.. one per sorter, in each of which the same sorting selections are repeated. The compartments with the same selections form what is termed, in this. specification, a set. Where there are several suchranges in the form of a bank, this bank will thus consist, of several sorting stations,v e. g. one per sorter, each. of which will comprise several superimposed groups of sorting compartments. Preferably ban-ks of sorting stations. are disposed back. to back and it is. a further object of the inventiongto provide for common conveyors to serve corresponding backto-back ranges of compartments.

A further object of the invention is to overcome various difiiculties which arise in connection with the use of astacker in sorting apparatus: In the first place the stacker may have to stack deliveries of largely different numbers of letters which may arrive singly or in irregu' lar piles. In the second place, the usual back support commonly provided instackers for similar purposes is an obstacle to the automatic ejection of the letters from the stacker;

One embodiment of the invention by way of example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig; 2 is a plan" November 23, 1933 elevations of a detail. Fig. 5 is a sldeelevation of part of the collating or stacking apparatus to a' larger scale. Fig. 6 is an end View of the col lating or stacking apparatus. Fig. '7 is a crossseotionof the stacking means. Fig. 8 is a plan 5 view thereof, and Fig. 9' is a diagram illustrating the shape of the stack side elevation.

In the example illustrated, the sorting apparatus (Figs. 1-419) consists of a bankof sorting stations, for ten sorters, similar in external ap- 10 pearance to a manually cleared apparatus, that is each sorting station I comprises sorting boxes 2 ranged in several superposed groups above: a sorting table 3. As shown, there are five superimposed groups each of six boxes. Behind andbelow the level of the-boxes 2 of each group, extends a continuously operating. endless conveyor band extending the full length of the bank of sorting stations I'. In the present instance there are thus five such bands 4, the return flights of which are indicated at 5 (Fig. 3).

' The boxes 2 have bottoms 6 (Fig. 3) pivoted about an axis 1 (Fig. 4) and backs 8 pivoted at their upper edges 9, the bottoms 6- and backs 8 being connected together by linkagesl 0. Each bottom is normally held closed by a lug l I on a vertical bar I 2, there being one suchbar' I2 to each vertical row of boxes 2 At its-upper end} each bar I2 is connected to one end of a lever i3, pivoted at M, whereof the other end carries a follower t5 which not only runs upon an edge caml6 on a continuously rotating shaft l l but also-engagesin-a face groove H! of aselector disc l9- carried on anintermittently driven shaft 20'. The disc l9 has a slot 2 t at one part of its periphery and only when the intermittent movement of the shaft 20- brings this slot Z I intothe uppermost position is the follower I 5- free to: move upand down and follow the cam lfit The: cams F6 are alike for each vertical row of boxes but the discs I 9 for eachvertical row of a station are offset angularly so that the followers l5 are freed successivelyand at intervals; The: timing; of the intermittent movement of the shaft 20- is such that eachslot 21 remains in the uppermost position during one: completerotation: oi the shaft H. When, during thisrotation, the shal low part of the cam l-B comes opposite the follower IS; the unbalanced weight of the box-bottoms 6' and their contents, assisted by biasing 50 means if" necessary, causes the bar I 7; to drop: and the follower l5 to risethro'ugh the-slot 2L Thus all the boxes of the vertical rowopen: at their bottoms 6 and; due to the linkages- I 0 the backs. fl al'se swing out so that a wide: opening is made for the deposit of the contents of the boxes 2 on the respective bands 4. When the deeper part of the cams l6 come opposite the follower I5, it forces the latter down again through the slot 2| so that the bar 12 is raised to reclose the boxes. The next intermittent motion of the shaft 20 prepares for the opening of another vertical row of boxes 2 in similar fashion, the followers l5 of all the other vertical rows being meanwhile held within the grooves l8 of their discs [9 so that the latter rows of boxes cannot open. As will be understood, therefore, the boxes 2 of each horizontal group of a station are opened automatically and successively to deposit their contents upon the corresponding conveyor band 4. Thus each such band serves to clear in succession all the boxes of its associated horizontal group. Furthermore, as the above description applies equally to each station, the stations generally being duplicates of each other, each band clears at one and the same time all the corresponding boxes in the groups with which it is associated. Otherwise expressed, each single conveyor band 4 serves for the con veyance of several sorting selections in succession over an endless time cycle.

Preferably, as shown in Figs. 2-4, two ranges of sorting stations are disposed back to back and common conveyors 4, if desired with a central longitudinal partition, and common cam mechanisms are used for the corresponding rows of boxes 2 of the said ranges of boxes. Unless specially provided against, a difficulty might arise with this arrangement owing to the fact that, for example, postal sorters always place the letters in the sorting boxes with the stamps in a certain position. If letters from corresponding boxes in a back to back relationship were simply deposited upon a common conveyor band, it would be found that the letters from the two boxes were oppositely disposed upon said band, which is inconvenient in the subsequent handlingof the letters.

One way of overcoming this difficulty is to provide means whereby the letters from the ranges of boxes are all placed in the same position upon the conveyor bands. This is conveniently effected by turning all the letters one way in depositing them upon the bands. It is for this purpose that, in the example illustrated, the boxes 2 are provided with bottoms 6 which open by pivoting about a roughly diagonal axis 1. The letters lying in the boxes 2, in positions transversely of the bands 4, are initially deposited diagonally thereon. The moving bands, however, draw the letters off from the box-bottoms 6 longitudinally of the bands. Furthermore, since the box-bottoms of the two ranges of boxes are pivoted about opposite diagonals (Fig. 4) the letters from corresponding boxes in back to back relationship are caused to assume the same longitudinal position upon the bands 4, i. c. with the stamps similarly located.

A latch 65 controlled by a detector 66 in the upper part of each box (Figs. 3-42)) is normally out of engagement with a lug 61 on the box-bottom 6. If, however, the box is filled too full, so that it would discharge irregularly, the detector 66, pushed back by the top letter inserted, causes the latch 65 to engage under the lug 61 and prevent opening of the box until the excess letters are taken out again.

The arrangement so far described is by itself extremely economical of space and extremely simple to install and operate. There are not a large number of conveyor bands and the powerconsumption is moderate. The power is transmitted to the bands 4 from a relatively slowspeed electric motor 22, shaft 23, individual oilimmersed spiral gearing 24 and driving rollers 25. The cam-shaft I1 is driven from the same motor 22 through chain gearing 26 partly seen in Fig. 1. The selector shaft 28 is operated from the shaft I! through intermittent drive mechanism indicated at 21.

In the case of stoppage of the mechanism, e. g. due to the failure of the power supply, the sorting apparatus can be temporarily cleared by hand in the normal way of a manually cleared sorting apparatus.

With, as will generally be the case, a comparatively large number of sorting stations l in a bank, it may be necessary in certain circumstances to isolate one or more stations from the rest, and possibly, to revert to manual clearing from these stations for a certain period of time. Accordingly, means is provided whereby the boxopening mechanism for any particular station can be locked or rendered inoperative by the sorter or person in charge without interfering in any way with the normal functioning of the remainder of the apparatus. The locking means shown in Fig. 3 comprises a series of latches 23, one for each bar l2 of the station, which latches are pivoted at 29 and connected by way of a rod 29 to a bar 30. The latter is slidable in a guide 31 under the table 3 and carries an operating handle 32. Normally the latches 28 occupy the ineffective position illustrated by the full lines. By pushing the handle 32 inwardly, the latches 28 can be brought into the dotted line position immediately under the lower ends of the bars l2. In this position, the latches prevent the bars l2 from descending, so that the mechanism l6, I9 is ineffective for permitting opening the boxes of the station in question. The provision of such locking means also ensures that in the case of failure of the box mechanism, only one station need be affected while repairs are being made. To facilitate such repairs each box, complete with all its essential moving parts, Figs. 4-41), may be made as a separate unit so that it can be readily detached from the framework of the apparatus and replaced by a new one.

The stacking apparatus will now be described: This comprises a plurality of superimposed stacking means, preferably of the kind hereinafter described, which stacking means, indicated generally at 33 in Figures 1 and 2, occupy relatively fixed positions at the ends of the superimposed conveyor bands 4. Beyond the stacking means there are horizontal rows of stacking trays 34 movable horizontally past the stacking means in a direction transverse to the ranges of sorting boxes 2. With the sorting apparatus illustrated, there require to be five rows each of six stacking trays, one tray corresponding to each box of the horizontal groups of sorting boxes 2 associated with the corresponding conveyor band 4. By means hereinafter explained, the trays 34 are advanced past the stacking means 33 and the letters are ejected on to the said trays from the said stacking means in a timed relationship with the time cycle of the conveyor bands 4, so that each tray 34 only receives the letters from' one predetermined sorting box 2 at all of the sorting stations I. There is, however, only one stacking means. 3.3. each e hvey r hand. it Ihusthe spa e occ pied by hestaeh ne mea shr pe s. small and the space occupied by the trays, whilst, in elf. has the i th r va a e that its. prin i al d m hsiqnis at ieht ns s s th len f. h se tihsarparat a ci n in wh ch h e en r lly, e m c y av ab e n e se The .e lumh o stacking is iseased an an le to he ve i an,

tha eemeht w ie saves $Dace vertica tachment of a driving roller: 45. extending beween them- T i member 4.5. en a es w th a l lrshaped bracket 45 on the underside. of the trays. flfhe crank 39 makes one'revolution per delivery period (i. e. the period in which a band 4 is delivering from a certain box 2 to the stacking means. 33,) and at the end ,of each delivery period imparts one stroke to the. pawl and ratchet device 4|, thus advancing the driving roller 45 and the bank of trays 34 by two tray widths (say, from right to left in Figure 6), so that alternate trays are brought in turn opposite the stacking. means 33. When, upon reaching the left-hand end of its travel with the traybank, the roller 45 rounds .the end, before com- ..mencing to. travel-from left to right along. the

return limb of its path, it will advance the said trays-bank by one tray-Width only. Consequently in the return of the trayebank from left to, right, the trays not brought opposite the stacking means 3.3. in the right to left movement are then brought opposite the same. Finally after a similar action of the roller 45 at the right hand end, the. cycle recommencesi By changing the position of the roller 45 from one attachment means 44 (of which there are the same. number as there are. sorting boxes in a horizontal group at a sorting station) .to another, the correspondence of the delivery trays with the sorting boxes can be varied to suit L10. From the level 'of the end of each con- 3 veyor band 4 to the somewhat lower level of its associated stacker-bottom 41 and tray-bottom 48, the letters fall by way of a chute 49 into the reach of the curved arms 52 of a flyer-device on a continuously rotating shaft 53. Back-supporting means for the letters comprise a pair of straight fingers 54 initially extending upwardly, through slots 54 in the stacker-bottom 41, in front of the flyer device 52 from a transverse spindle 55. As the letters are deposited in front of the fingers 54 with the assistance of the fiyer device 52, the said fingers are pressed back by the said letters, initially in such manner as to continue to afford support. By the time that the fingers 54 afford little or no support to the stack and permit it to pass over them (see dotted line position of fingers 54 in Fig. '7) the said stack (56 in Fig. 9) is of such size and form as to be self-supporting. In order to assist in the production of the stack-form shown in Fig. 9, there may be provided above the chute 49 and flyer-device 52, an endless continuously driven band; 50. which th t have a. rou ne or tackyuriee er en aging: thehrp r ends irhe, 1, .:t e e.-v

J st. b ore he tray-bank ad a ced e lre pl ined. th s ack r such p t of i as r mains on. the t e s r hottom 4 i finally e ec d into th t a 34 b ejector plate 5! which r orms a mot o for in a po ition (f l n. F g re. '0 near the fiv r-sh 53 to a fi a tio .(cl tt d, ine in F '1) J t ey hdth n o th s acker bottom 41 and i advan ou ly rocked fr a som w at rea wa d v to, a s mewh t forw rdly c ed di oe sition towards the end of the ejection movement, It; is then at once drawn back toits initial position. puf ing the time that the ejece plate 51 is moving t and o, the gap b we h it a d the e e of the chute 4 is bri d by steel tapes H1 attached to the tipof the plate and unwound from a spring loaded drum ll. These tapes prevent stray letters being deposited b ind h eje to plate- Each flyer-shaft 5 3 is driven by chain 6| from the corresponding gearing 24 (Fig. 1'). For the toand fro motion of the ejector plates 5'1, their supporting bars 51 are each carried by brackets 89 pivotally mounted as at 81, in a common, horizontally slidable, frame 82;. This is moved forward (from the full to the. dotted line position, Fig. 7 at the correct, instant in relation to h t m cycle of t e tin and re vin ap ratus, by links 83 which are connected to coupled crank-arms 84. The lower crank-arm 84 is connected to a crank-arm 85 which is periodically rocked through a link; 86, from cammeans 62 (Fig. 1). A loading weight 8'! :returns the linkage and frame to its initial position, The forward rocking of each ejector plate 51 is effected by contact of a downwardly exte -ins a t of t e bracke 80. wit a fixed: stop. 88. Aspring 89- biases the bracket and plate towards its'normal position.

The back-supporting fingers 54 may be loaded and biased towards. the initial position by springs or, as shown, weights 59;. When the stacker is required to deal with occasional matter of considerably greater density than usual, e. g. small catalogues and booklets, the weights 5 9 may be increased so as to increase the resistance offered by the fingers 54.

I claim:

- 1. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising at least one range ofgrouped sorting compartments associated with a conveyor leading to a single deliv r o n er: transferrin the con-=; tents of the compartments to the conveyor, power-operated control means for the said transferring means adapted for causing the contents of sets of corresponding compartments to be transferred in succession (over a time cycle) to the conveyor, whereby they are delivered separately at the delivery point, a series of receivers movable in' relation to the delivery point, and means for moving said receivers in succession to said delivery point in timed relation to the operation of said transferring means and conveyor whereby to selectively receive from the conveyor the contents of respective sets of corresponding compartments.

2. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising at least one range of grouped sorting compartments associated with a conveyor leading to a single delivery point means for transferring the contents of the compartments to the conveyor, power-operated control means for the said transferring means adapted for causing the contents of sets of corresponding compartments in the groups to be transferred in succession (over a time cycle) to the conveyor, a series of receivers, and means operating in timed relation with said transferring means and conveyor for moving the said receivers horizontally past the delivery point in a direction transverse to the length of the range of sorting compartments so that the receivers are disposed in succession to receive from the conveyor the contents of respective sets of corresponding compartments.

3. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising several ranges of groups of corresponding sorting compartments disposed back-to-back, a plurality of conveyors respectively associated with and common to back-to-back ranges of compartments, and means associated with the sorting compartments for depositing letters from the back-to-back ranges of compartments in similar positions upon the conveyors by turning all the letter longitudinally of the conveyors in depositing them thereon.

4. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising several ranges of groups of corresponding sorting compartments, a plurality of conveyors associated with the said ranges of compartments, and automatic means for swinging down the bottoms of the said compartments to deposit their contents upon the conveyors, the said bottoms being pivoted, for their swinging, about substantially diagonal axes.

5. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising several ranges of groups of corresponding sorting compartments disposed back-to-back, a plurality of conveyors respectively associated with and common to back-to-back ranges of compartments, and automatic means for swinging down the bottoms of the said compartments to deposit their contents upon the conveyors, the said bottoms of compartments in the back-to-back ranges being pivoted to swing about opposite substantially diagonal axes.

6. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising several ranges of groups of corresponding sorting compartments each having the sorting opening in the front and each having a movable bottom and back wall, a plurality of conveyors respectively associated with the said ranges of compartments, and automatic means for opening both the bottoms and back-walls of the compartments for depositing the contents thereof upon the conveyors.

7. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising a plurality of superimposed ranges of grouped sorting compartments, conveyors respectively associated with the said ranges of compartments, means for transferring the contents of the compartments to the conveyors, and automatic control means including a cam-follower connected with the transfer means, a first continuously driven cam adapted for controlling movement of the said follower, and a second intermittently driven cam adapted for withholding the said follower from the control of the first cam and for periodically releasing the said follower to the said control. a

8. Sorting and collating apparatus for letters, other postal matter and the like, comprising a plurality of superimposed ranges of grouped sorting compartments, the compartments forming vertical as well as horizontal rows, conveyors respectively associated with the said ranges of compartments, means for transferring the contents of the compartments to the conveyors, automatic actuating means common to the transfer means of each vertical row of compartments, and manually operated means for setting the transfer means of selected vertical rows of compartments out of operation Without interference with the remainder of the compartments.

9. Sorting and collating apparatus for postal matter, comprising ranges of sorting compartments, conveyors respectively associated with the said ranges of compartments, means for transferring the sorted postal matter from the compartments to the conveyors in a series of periods over a time cycle, stacking means at the delivery ends of the said conveyors for receiving the postal matter from the conveyors and stacking it, ejector means for discharging the stacked postal matter from the stacking means at the ends of the said periods, a series of receivers associated with each conveyor, and intermittent operating means for moving the series of receivers past the stacking means with a step-by-step motion so timed (over the same cycle) that each individual receiver is brought in succession into operative relationship with the associated conveyor for receiving, by Way of the stacking means, postal matter transferred from the compartments to the conveyor in one period of the time cycle.

HUBERT WILLIAM CADMAN. 

